What to do in case of a traffic accident in Spain

Traffic officers in Spain have detailed how drivers can stay safe in the event of a collision

If you are in an accident or your vehicle breaks down

• The first thing drivers need to do, whenever possible, is to move the vehicle to the safest place available, such as the hard shoulder or on a side road, so as to avoid any further collisions or build-up of traffic. This should only be done if the car is still in working order; motorists are advised to never try pushing the vehicle.

• Once the vehicle is in a safe area, the driver should don his reflective vest, which by law should always be kept somewhere in the car.

• At this point, the driver can leave the vehicle, taking extra care of other traffic, and only walk on the inside of the car, behind guardrails if at all possible. From here, motorists should place a warning triangle at least 50 metres in front and behind the vehicle.

• Due to the large number of incidents actually occurring when drivers are trying to erect this safety device, road traffic authorities have announced that triangles will be phased out in favour of V16 emergency signal lights, which will be placed on the roof of the vehicle, by the end of 2025.

• The next step is to phone the 112 emergency services or a private tow truck. Responders will want to know the exact location of the accident or breakdown, with the road name, kilometre point and travelling direction being particularly helpful.